Fred Thompson: Obamacare 'Dishonest'
Monday, November 23, 2009 2:01 PM
In an interview with NewsmaxTV.com, former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., offered blistering criticism of President Obama’s policies on a wide range of issues.
He’s particularly concerned about a Democrat-backed Obama healthcare plan that may create a system of socialized medicine.
“The healthcare legislation [in Congress] is probably the most damaging and dishonest piece of legislation I’ve seen in my lifetime,” he said.
See Video: Fred Thompson calls Obamacare ‘dishonest and damaging’ - Click Here Now
The bill has numerous gimmicks, such as starting taxes now and delaying benefits until 2014, Thompson said. “It’s trying to be sold as a free lunch.”
Thompson, who now hosts a radio show, is also concerned about Obama’s handling of the war in Afghanistan.
Special: Get Sarah Palin’s New Book – Incredible FREE Offer -- Click Here Now.
“Under the present path we’re on and the attitude of the administration now, that [a defeat] is going to be the inevitable result,” says the former TV and movie actor who ran for president last year (he says he won’t run again).
“You have a president whose heart is not in this. He wants it to go away. He’s obviously more concerned about an exit strategy than being aggressive on this matter and doing what just about all the military people are advising him to do. I think that makes it impossible.”
And what should Obama do? “The president has to be strong, he has to believe in it,” Thompson said.
“He’s got to be able to make the case to the American people. They’re divided on this thing already. It’s going to be a long drawn out operation.”
Obama has to win the hearts and minds of Afghanistan too.
“The Afghan people have got to believe we’re going to be there, because they know the Taliban will be if we aren’t,” Thompson said. “They’re betting on a winner.”
The problem is that the president has “a lack of resolve,” he said.
Thompson said that if he was president, “I would make a total commitment that we’re going to prevail there and do what’s necessary to prevail.”
He is worried about the exploding government debt burden. “We have to recognize that we are spending ourselves into bankruptcy,” Thompson said. “Our debt is getting toward third world status.”
He thinks Obama’s poor performance will help Republicans in next year’s elections. “The president is trying to do some things that the American people see through and don’t want,” Thompson said.
“The Republicans will get the benefit of that.”
See Video: Fred Thompson calls Obamacare ‘dishonest and damaging’ - Click Here Now
© 2009 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
permanent link